North Andover Historical Society Announces September Events & Programs
The month-long lineup features family activities, historic house tours, hands-on workshops, walking tours, films, paranormal programs, and special America 250 celebrations.
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — The North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) has announced its program and activity schedule for September 2026. Unless otherwise noted, events will be held at the NAHS Stevens Center museum, 800 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover. Registration is required and is available at www.NorthAndoverHistoricalSociety.org. Programs cost $5 for NAHS members and $15 for nonmembers unless otherwise indicated.
I Survived: A Historic Celebration - Scholastic Book Fair with The Purple Couch
Saturday, September 5, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join NAHS for free activities and games based on The American Revolution as The Purple Couch joins us at The Stevens Center for a Scholastic Book Fair based on the bestselling book series, I Survived!
First Saturday at the Parson Barnard House
Saturday, September 5, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join a curated tour of the 1715 Parson Barnard historic house museum and experience the house as it was during four different time periods from 1715 to 1830. Participants will enjoy tours of this colonial and revolutionary period house museum and the Colonial Herb and Dye garden, planted and cared for by the North Andover Garden Club. The Parson Barnard House is open the first Saturday of every month through October.
Felt & Kvelt: Noon Needle Felting Class
Wednesday, September 9, noon–2 p.m.
NAHS’s popular traditional needle felting class now has a noon start time where participants can come and enjoy a “snack and craft” session. NAHS Educator David Blauvelt will teach participants all the tips and tricks he has used through his years of experience. The class will 1 focus on techniques to make a flat felted landscape with 3-dimensional aspects, carrying on projects from the last session, as well as a closer look at incorporating basic 3D shapes. All materials and tools are provided but felters are welcome to bring their own tools. Every attendee will leave with a completed project.
Family Felting: Evening Needle Felting Class
Wednesday, September 9, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
The NAHS’s popular needle felting class is now available evenings. In this class, participants will focus on techniques to make a flat felted landscape with 3-dimensional aspects, carrying on our project from last session, as well as a closer look at incorporating basic 3D shapes. All materials and tools are provided but felters are welcome to bring their own tools. Every attendee will leave with a completed project.
2026 Lifetime Preservation Award Celebration: Peter Boynton
Thursday, September 10, 6–9 p.m.
The North Andover Historical Society is honored to present the 2026 Lifetime Preservation Award to Peter Boynton. A North Andover native and a 1975 graduate of North Andover High School, Peter returned to his hometown following a distinguished career as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Since then, he has dedicated countless hours to preserving North Andover’s natural resources and historic character through public service and volunteer leadership.
North Andover Witchcraft History Walking Tour
Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join witchcraft trials expert Richard Hite, author of In The Shadow of Salem, and Carol Majahad, the former director of the North Andover Historical Society, on a fascinating tour of North Andover locations that were involved in the witchcraft trials. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the NAHS.
Trails & Sails: Agriculture and the Wool Industry Walking Tour
Saturday, September 12, noon–1:30 p.m.
The special Trails & Sails event for Essex National Heritage is a free walking tour focusing on North Andover’s history of agriculture and wool production. It will meet at the carriage barn at the Parson Barnard House at 183 Osgood St.
1776’s Patriots Within Present-Day Lawrence: Its People and Places
Saturday, September 12, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Join the Lawrence Heritage State Park for this FREE presentation at One Jackson Street, Lawrence. Experience the days of the Revolution through the eyes of local people in 1776, before Lawrence existed, and learn about and celebrate Lawrence’s veterans.
Trails & Sails: Homespun Textiles Workshop
Saturday, September 19, noon–2 p.m.
NAHS joins Essex National Heritage’s Trails and Sails with a free hands-on experience with every part of wool textile production. Visitors can drop in and out during the duration of the program in the Parson Barnard Carriage Barn at 183 Osgood St.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (PG-13)
Saturday, September 19, 7–8:40 p.m.
Written and directed by Salem MA native Mike Flanagan, this new horror classic begins when a family introduces a Ouija board to their phony séances, only to have them turn dreadfully real when the youngest of the family is possessed by a contacted entity.
Paranormal Investigation at the Parson Barnard House
Saturday, September 19, 7–10:45 p.m.
This includes a ticket to the movie Ouija: Origin of Evil at 7:00 pm. Get ready for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contact spirits in the Historic (1715) Parson Barnard House, the home of Rev. Thomas Barnard, minister during the Witch Trials and at the Old Burial Ground. This program is a NAHS partnership with Paranormal New England and VCR2.
Movie Roulette: Dark Disney with VCR2
Friday, September 25, 7–8:30 p.m.
Six dark & gothic Disney movies of the past on one roulette wheel. Which movie we watch will be decided by the spin of one lucky audience member.
Trails & Sails: Archaeology and Anne Bradstreet
Saturday, September 26, noon–2 p.m.
Join NAHS Educator and Archaeologist, David B. and former Poet Laureate and Anne Bradstreet scholar, Karen Kline for this FREE combination walking tour and presentation on the life and times of The New World's first published poet and Old Andover resident, Anne Bradstreet.
Old Andover History Shuttle Tour
Sunday, September 27, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through old Andover's shared heritage as we bring our towns, once united during the American Revolution, back together for a day of family-friendly history and fun! This program includes an exclusive tour and refreshments at the historic 1695 Bridges House.
About the North Andover Historical Society
Founded in 1913, the North Andover Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit education institution that seeks, saves, and shares our important local history. The Society stewards a portfolio of historic properties, including the Parson Barnard House and the Stevens Center museum, featuring NAHS’s archives, collections, exhibits, a theater, café, and rental spaces.
